To Cancer : Complementary and Integrative Therapies of Cancer.

Posts Tagged ‘Treatment of breast cancer’

The earlier a breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of successful treatment. By checking your breasts regularly for lumps and other changes, you can improve your chances of finding breast cancer at an early, curable stage. Women in the UK at higher risk of developing breast cancer because of their age or family history are eligible for regular breast screening as part of a national screening programme.

Breast self-awareness

It’s important to become familiar with how your breasts normally feel at different times of the month. You’ll then be able to pick up any changes in your breasts that aren’t normal for you. If you are concerned about anything unusual in your breasts, you can make an appointment with your GP.

Our  cancer support specialists  can give you information about breast awareness, or you can contact Breast cancer care.

UK National Breast Screening Programme

In the UK, all women between the ages of 50 and 70 (64 in Northern Ireland) are offered mammograms (breast x-rays) every three years, as part of a national Breast screening Programme . Women over the age of 70 can ask to continue with three-yearly mammograms.

Women may be eligible for regular screening at a younger age if they are at higher risk of developing breast cancer because of their family history. If you have a close relative with breast cancer, you can discuss with your GP whether you should have regular screening before the age of 50 .

What is screening?

Screening is testing to detect cancer early, before symptoms are noticed, or to find changes that could develop into cancer later if left untreated.

There are different types of breast cancer. They are usually named after the types of cells from which it is thought the cancer has developed. Most breast cancers start in the cells lining the ducts (the channels in the breast that carry milk to the nipple) and spread into the surrounding breast tissue. This is known as invasive ductal breast cancer. There are other, less common types of breast cancer. Knowing the exact type of cancer helps the doctors to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

Learn more about these types and related conditions, including how they are diagnosed and treated, below:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

DCIS is a condition in which breast cancer cells have developed within some of the breast ducts (the channels in the breast that carry milk to the nipple). The abnormal cells are completely contained within the ducts and have not spread into the surrounding breast tissue. Because the cancer cells have not spread outside of the ducts, DCIS is sometimes referred to as pre-cancerous, pre-invasive, non-invasive, or intraductal cancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

LCIS means that there are changes to the cells lining the lobules (where milk is produced) of the breast. It is not cancer, but it means there is a small increase in the risk of developing breast cancer later. Most women with LCIS will never develop breast cancer or need treatment, but doctors usually will recommend regular breast examinations so that any changes can be recognised early if they do occur.

Invasive breast cancer

If cancer cells have spread beyond the lining of the ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue, it is called invasive breast cancer.

HER2 positive breast cancer

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, a sample of breast tissue will be tested for the protein HER2. HER2 is a growth factor receptor, found on the surface of normal breast cells, and helps cells grow and divide. Some breast cancer cells have an abnormally high number of HER2 receptors – these cancers are described as being HER2 positive (HER2+). Between 15–25% women with breast cancer have HER2+ cancers. Effective treatments called biological or targeted therapies, have been developed to treat HER2+ breast cancer. The drug most commonly used is trastuzumab

Invasive ductal breast cancer

Invasive ductal breast cancer occurs when the cells that line the duct have become cancerous and have spread into the surrounding breast tissue. It is the most common type of breast cancer; between 70-80% (7 to 8 out of every 10) of all breast cancers are this type.

Invasive lobular breast cancer

Invasive lobular breast cancer develops from the cells that line the lobes of the breast. They have a different appearance to ductal cancers and have a particular pattern of spread in the surrounding breast tissue. Approximately 10% (1 in 10) of breast cancers are this type.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the tiny channels (lymph vessels) in the skin and tissues of the breast. This causes the breast to become swollen, red and inflamed. The breast may also feel warm and tender to the touch. Chemotherapy is usually the first treatment, often followed by a combination of radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery. About 1 to 2% (1 to 2 in every 100) of all breast cancers are inflammatory breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, a sample of breast tissue will be tested for receptors for the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and the protein HER2. triple negative breast cancer don’t have any of these receptors. About 15-20% of women with breast cancer have this type of breast cancer. It is often treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Paget’s disease of the breast

pagets disease of the breast | is a change in the skin of the nipple that usually first appears as a scaly, red rash. Some women may notice an itching or burning sensation, and there may be oozing or bleeding from the nipple or the darker area surrounding it (areola). About 9 in 10 women with Paget’s disease of the breast will have an underlying breast cancer. Treatment will depend on whether or not cancer is present, the type of tumour and how much of the breast is affected.

Breast cancer is not a disease that is restricted only to women. In rare cases it can also cause breast cancer in men.

In about one percent of all breast cancers are cancers of the male breast. In Germany, the annual number of men involved in about 400 It appears this form of cancer primarily on the age of 70 years. Since most men do not naturally expect to develop breast cancer, the tumor is often not discovered until a later stage. This means, however, usually, that the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes were cancerous. Read the rest of this entry »

Most tumors that occur in the breast are benign, not cancerous, and are due to fibrocystic formations.

The cyst is a fluid-filled sac and fibrosis is an abnormal development of connective tissue. Fibrosis does not increase the risk of developing a tumor and does not require special treatment. The cysts, if large, can be painful. The removal of a spinal fluid usually take away the pain. The presence of one or more cysts does not favor the development of malignant tumors.

Benign tumors are related mostly to genetic factors. The symptoms that occur are pain and inflammation but not spread to the rest of the body and are dangerous.

In malignant tumors, various types depending on the location of the breast which they produce the abnormal growth of cells and by stage. Read the rest of this entry »

Since its founding in 1971, Clinica Planas notable for being the pioneer and reference center in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in our country. Specialized Supra has professionals in each specific area of aesthetic medicine and offers the latest technologies to provide the best patient care. Read the rest of this entry »

The treatment for breast cancer improves symptoms through local control of cancer and increase chances of cure, and / or prolongs the life of the patient. The expected benefits should be put in the balance regarding the potential risks that might entail. Read the rest of this entry »